Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

The Manager, Employee Relations (ER) is responsible for supporting the VP, Employee Relations/Labor Relations in delivering meaningful strategic direction and guidance in all employee relations activities for OVG owned, operated and/or managed facilities throughout the US, Canada and globally.

Areas of support include, but are not limited to conflict/grievance mitigation and resolution, assigned investigations, compliance assurance, training and development, data analytics, client relations and relationship building, Navex administration, regulatory compliance, and collaborating with all other functional HR/ER/LR areas, as needed.

This role pays an annual salary of $125,000-$140,000 and is bonus eligible

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until December 19, 2025.

At the direction of the VP, ER/LR, and in conjunction with functional teams within P&C/HR and the company, the Manager provides leadership, guidance on best practices, effective results-oriented support and training to field management staff to achieve workplace harmony, successful and measurable business outcomes, and contract and regulatory compliance.

Collaborates with the VP, ER/LR and senior leadership to achieve successful implementation of OVG’s long- and short-term employee relations strategic plan and vision, including establishing  company-wide ER (e.g., Navex) objectives, policies, training programs, and practices.

While employee relations is the primary focus of this role, crossover between HR, ER and LR are a daily reality of the HR practitioner.  It is therefore critical that the incumbent must be highly proficient in all functional areas of HR/ER/LR management, policy administration, employment and labor law and legislative trends, and best practices.  HR experience and breath/depth of knowledge is foundational to the ER/LR role.

Manager will collaborate with VP, ER/LR to compile, analyze and present periodic executive/senior leadership updates on the state of employee and labor relations within the company, future trends within our industry and business lines, wage trend analysis, political ramifications, new legislation, and other relevant topics based on a high level of subject matter expertise.

Essential Job Functions:

• Ability to effectively function in a fast-paced, event-driven, high-volume, diverse environment, and with a broad range of HR/ER management needs.
• Work collaboratively with VP, ER/LR to ensure regulatory, statutory and contract compliance by field management.
• Achieve resolution of conflicts/grievances, including providing management support in mediation/arbitration, as assigned.
• Provide guidance to field management on payroll/wage & hour compliance, safety/risk management, and implementation of general HR/ER best practices.
• Support implementation of key strategic HR/ER policies, programs and processes that have a significant impact on achieving successful business outcomes.
• Serve as an escalation point for employee and legal issues.
• Partner with VP, ER/LR, and corporate legal team, as needed, on investigations, determinations, grievance mitigation/resolution, general complaints, litigation preparation, documentation, compilation, and review, regulatory (EEOC, DOL, NLRB) complaint response.
• Assist in providing support to corporate leadership during crisis situations, emergency task team participation; union communications, workforce planning, implementation of furloughs/layoffs/RIFs, WARN Act compliance, employee and guest safety, training/communication, etc.
• Support VP, ER/LR in providing critical labor research and labor/cost analysis to Business Development team for RFP presentation team prep.
• Study, analyze and report on trends, opportunities for improving policies and practices.
• Develops and maintains outside relationships (clients, vendors, regulatory agencies).
• Works with field management and line staff to ensure alignment of HR/ER processes with operational needs and business goals.
• Investigates employee complaints/grievances; responds to charges, claims or complaints filed through state or federal agencies (EEOC, DOL, etc.).
• Provides effective reporting and analysis of ER data to enable business leaders to make key operational and strategic decisions.
• Assists with special HR/ER projects, as needed.

They must possess strong analytical and organizational skills and be able to handle several complex projects simultaneously.  Must be a flexible, proactive, strategic team player, who is able to communicate clearly, harmoniously, and effectively to field management as well as provide meaningful guidance and results-oriented direction. 

Strong leadership, relationship-building, and mentorship skills are requisite to the position.  Incumbent must be technologically savvy, as well as intuitive, persuasive, and academically competent.  Must hold impeccable ethics and possess sound judgment, in addition to adhering to the highest standards of confidentiality, discretion, political awareness and consistent attention to detail.

Demonstrated proficiency in managing diverse FT and PT work groups in the hospitality, sports and entertainment industries, food services, venue management in public facilities such as arenas, stadiums, convention centers, casinos, etc.  Multi-unit, muti-state./province experience mandatory.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Able to think creatively and strategically to successfully communicate with individuals and groups internally and externally.  Public speaking experience a plus.
• Verifiable strong relationship-building skills, internally and externally.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and interest in employment trends.
• Strong planning, execution, organizational, and analytical problem-solving capability.  Ability to make sound business decisions quickly and under pressure; must display good judgment in all matters related to, or affecting, business and its relationships with clients.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations; broad understanding of HR/ER principles and practices to ensure compliance; working knowledge of principles, practices and legislative trends.
• Must have direct experience in supporting large-scale initiatives involving significant dollar amounts and implications, and involving diverse stakeholder groups. Experience supporting a multi-divisional, multi-unit organization.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities with strengths in strategic vision, team- and relationship building and operational excellence. Ability to achieve results for the organization with and through other people utilizing creative and innovative solutions.
• A collaborative, forward-thinking and flexible working style, with a strong service mentality Ability to consistently adhere to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, ethics and confidentiality.
• Proficient in current technology; excellent working knowledge of MS Office, and other applications commonly used in our business.
• Ability and availability to travel within the US, Canada and internationally, as needed.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Arts / Sciences in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related major. MBA, Master of Juris Prudence in Labor & Employment Law, JD, or other advanced degree a strong plus.
• Minimum 10 years progressively responsible experience in HR/ER with an emphasis on Employee and Labor Relations.
• Ongoing commitment to staying current (“life-long learner”), specialized professional training, certifications, and coursework/seminars; SPHR-SCP-CPLP strongly preferred.

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.